"Goodbye to pimples": Belgian superbugs arrive in the Netherlands

Last month, Yun distributed 1000 free acne treatments to Dutch testers. According to the society

they were already claimed before 10 o'clock. "In Belgium, we sell in pharmacies, but the Dutch prefer to go to the pharmacy, so we think that mouth to mouth works better here," says Tom. Verlinden (photo), Yun's CEO in conversation with RTL Z on the action

Vaginal Soap

Meanwhile, "thousands of products have been sold" in Belgium. Against acne, against the athlete's foot against dry skin. And a vaginal soap "that is good for the local flora."

Why is this good? "Because all products use good living bacteria, naturally present on or in your body, and those that are used to fight bad ones," says Verlinden.

Initially, the plan was not to be crossed until 2019, but now the eyes are focused on the Netherlands. "We are still talking about good distribution partners, but an Etos or Kruidvat are in line with expectations," says Verlinden. In the online store, individual products cost between 25 and 39 euros.

Just like Yakult

The former pharmacist compares his product with the probiotics we use for our intestines, such as Yakult, but for the skin. We really need these good bacteria, they say to Yun. In our battle against bad bacteria, we have too often taken antibiotics, which means that we are becoming more resistant to drugs. "The WHO has identified this as one of the biggest threats to humans," Verlinden said. "The tactic has always been to kill all the bacteria if someone has an infection, for example, but we have to start thinking differently." We humans are made up of 60% bacteria and do a lot of good things . If we use this to kill the wicked, then there is no danger to the resistance. "

" No better way "

Yun says that you can not have too many good bacteria, which makes skin prone for example, for acne." Our clinical study shows that all the patients show visible results in four weeks, "says Verlinden." There is no or even more effective medicine on the market. "

Yun does not make this statement.According to Verlinden, a team of The University of Antwerp, led by microbiology professor Sarah Lebeer and bioengineer Ingmar Claes, was studied five years ago to turn it into a marketable product. "Everything is patented." [19659003] A year after Yun's introduction to the Belgian market, the team went from 3 to 23. "The turnover exceeds one million this year," said Verlinden. blisters used by dermatologists and pharmacies.

Beyond the Million

The dermatologists we spoke to are critical, only a cream is often insufficient for a complete treatment, they warn.

Dermatologist David Njoo, owner of David Njoo's Skin & Laser Clinics and the Huidarts.com skin blog, describes the treatment of all skin conditions as "delicate". "I'm always looking for a multi-pronged approach, because the problems also arise on many levels," he says.

For acne, for example, bacteria and inflammation are active and the skin is thickened. "So it's debatable whether this product, which deals only with the bacterial side, solves the whole problem, what is the visible result?"

Good bacteria can help

Dermatologist Francis Wu, founder of the skin care line adhere to criticism. He also points out that the approach on a front is not enough. "Acne is a multicausal disorder in which hormones, bacteria and keratinization of the skin play a role. The acidity of the skin also influences development."

According to Wu, there are indications of "good bacteria" inflammation of the skin can curb. "A small study has already shown that yogurt can also do something against acne, but we do not yet know which bacteria and how many bacteria, for example in a cream, work best."

Yun knows it

Well, said Verlinden. That's what has been studied all this time. "The main problem was finding the good bacteria against the good disease, and the bacteria had to stay alive to do their job properly, wrapping them in tiny capsules to keep them in a coma until they got it right. they reach the skin, hit. "

Yun's clinical study is made with mild to moderate acne patients. "According to the so-called scientific acnescore, we are 3.3 times more effective than existing products, but the result varies from person to person, some are completely gone, others have a huge improvement, and people with severe acne benefit from Yun. "

" You can not get fed up "

Yun says that he uses only natural ingredients to keep the products durable. "No parabens or plasticizers, we have 100% excluded that you can get tired of our business," says Verlinden

After the Dutch market, Luxembourg and France must follow. So Yun hopes to get a great partner onboard for distribution across Europe and beyond. "We're thinking of a big pharmaceutical company, and there are already a few in the queue," he says. He does not want names.

Crescent, Yun wants to do it mainly alone. Until now, the long ride has been paid for and with the help of at least 1 million euros of subsidies. "We're almost done with a new big round of subsidies, and if everything goes very fast, we want to involve an investor," says Verlinden.